OTAGO DEFEATS SOUTHLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23838, 8 June 1939, Page 12

OTAGO DEFEATS SOUTHLAND

HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY AT DUNEDIN SMOTHERING TACTICS BY WINNER’S FORWARDS (Special to The Times) DUNEDIN, June 7. In a keenly contested Rugby match this afternoon Otago Boys’ High School defeated Southland Boys’ High School by 8 points to nil. Much of the credit for the victory went to the hustling Otago forwards, who played together as a pack and whose smothering tactics gave Southland little opportunity to do much with the ball. Otago also owed a lot to its full-back, T. W. Somerville, who played a sound and plucky game and put in some excellent line-kicking. Southland too was fortunate in its full-back, H. R. Walker, who was always safe and took part in several strong runs through a field of opposing players. Another outstanding Southland back was L. V. Blaikie, who was the mainstay of his team on both attack and defence. The forwards also played well but were not always equal to the Otago pack. On both sides several promising movements were marred by faulty passing. The teams were:— OTAGO BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL.—T. W. Somerville, B. E. McPherson, F. K. Rennie, A. O. Johnstone, N. A. Frew, J. M. Wilkinson, H. R. Leith, T. R. Ellison, J. R. W. Logan, J. M. Crawford, J. K. Moore, C. N. Crawford, C. I. Overton, R. P. Pile, M. J. L. Phelan. SOUTHLAND BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL. —H. R. Walker, A. Drain, H. Mac Gibbon, R. L. Walker, L. V. Blaikie, L. F. Ward, C. N. McKenzie, F. M. Langham, J. J. Oughton, K. W. Potts, E. R. Hill, D. Leckie, C. N. Moffat, D. G. Coster, H. N. Longley. , Otago had the better of the first half and with the wind behind them the forwards kept hard on the ball, of which they were getting the better share. The Otago backs were making more use of the ball than the opposing line, although several movements were spoilt By faulty passing. Both packs were following up persistently and allowing each other little chance to do much with the ball. Southland was specially dangerous when for a while the forwards invaded Otago territory. Otago retaliated, however, and from a loose scrum on Southland’s 25 Leith sent the ball out to Wilkinson and McPherson, who was forced out at the corner flag. Soon after Otago was awarded a penalty kick from an easy position and Phelan did not fail. Otago 3, Southland nil. The Otago forwards maintained them attack, but Southland managed to hold them, Walker, Ward and Blaikie being specially sure on defence. Somerville gained ground with a penalty kick and from behind a loose scrum Leith passed to Wilkinson and Frew, who cut in neatly and scored. Phelan converted. Otago 8, Southland nil. The Otago forwards pressed Southland dangerously again, but play once more swung back to Otago’s line, Somerville proving safe when the Southland backs attacked. A penalty kick finally enabled Otago to clear and to resume the attack before half-time. BLAIKIE PROMINENT

Southland opened the second half in determined fashion, Blaikie being well to the fore in several passing rushes. Rennie cleared for Otago with a strong kick and fast following up by the forwards enabled them to maintain the advantage. Southland gained momentary relief from a penalty kick, but Wilkinson and McPherson, a fast Otago wing, led a new attack. Overton, who was playing a useful game as a loose forward, secured the ball from a scramble and after a strong run passed to Frew, who lost possession of the ball as he went over the line. Both full-backs were given work to do in the ensuing period of play and Otago, although tiring, managed to stave off repeated Southland attacks in which Blaikie figured prominently; once he attempted to pot a goal and another time he beat an Otago player for the ball, which had been kicked over the line, only to fall on it after it had passed the dead-ball line. Otago rallied in the last minute or two and was attacking when the game ended with the score: Otago 8, Southland nil. SPORTS TRUST CUP MATCHES FIRST GAME WITH CENTRAL ON JULY 1 Eastern Sub-Union, holder of the Southland Amateur Sports Trust Cup, will be called upon to play Central in the first challenge game at Mataura on July 1. If Eastern wins that match its second game will be against Western at Gore, on July 8. The dates of the remaining challenge games, with Northern and Southern as challengers in that order, will be decided later. On July 15 the annual Town-Country trial match will be played at Invercargill, and after that game the Southland sub-unions team to meet Otago subunions at Invercargill on July 22 will be selected. SHOWERS FOR GORE SHOW GROUND EFFORTS OF EASTERN SUB-UNION “We met the Works Committee of the Gore Agricultural and Pastoral Associatidn at the show ground on Saturday and discussed the question of installing showers at the ground,” said the chairman (Mr J. W. Aitken) in a report to last night’s meeting of the management committee of the Eastern Southland Rugby Football Sub-Union. “They offered to meet us half-way in the cost and it was arranged that we get quotes for the erection of the building to cover the showers and that they get quotes for the installation of the water,” said Mr Aitken. The chairman, who was a member of a sub-committee appointed to meet the Gore Agricultural and Pastoral officials, added that the latter would have to report back to their committee. The sub-committee’s action was confirmed, members expressing the opinion that it was a satisfactory arrangement. Mr F. J. Townsend wrote enclosing a cheque for £5 towards the cost of the proposed hot shower scheme at the Gore show ground. The cheque was accepted with thanks. Those present at the meeting were:— Messrs J. W. Aitken (chairman) N. McLeod, F. M. Murray, G. D. Robson, J. Cunningham, W. Southern, J. Stickle, H. G. Wallis. The Eastern Southland Referees’ Association advised that during the first grade match Mataura v. Country Pirates at Mataura last Saturday, the re-

feree, Mr L. O. Wallis, had occasion to order W. McGowan (Mataura), and W. Greer (Country Pirates) off the field for fighting. It was decided to stand both players down for one playing Saturday.